Hundreds gathered at Millennium Park Saturday afternoon, joined by several Texas House Democrats, to rally against redistricting efforts in Texas that could give Republicans five additional U.S.

Texas House Democrats blocked the end of the first special session by maintaining a quorum break, preventing Republicans from passing new congressional maps. Speaker Dustin Burrows adjourned the session with only 95 members present—five short of quorum.

Former President Barack Obama on Thursday joined a virtual meeting with Texas House Democrats who left the state to deny Republicans the ability to pass newly drawn GOP-favorable congressional maps, cheering on their efforts and stressing their work comes at a critical time in the fight against partisan gerrymandering.